U.S. patent application number 11/040153 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for methods and apparatus for beer dispensing systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lancer Partnership Ltd.. Invention is credited to Paul Haskayne.
Application Number | 20060162370 11/040153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36405922 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haskayne; Paul |
July 27, 2006 |
Methods and apparatus for beer dispensing systems
Abstract
A multiple-temperature beer dispensing system (10) (and related
methods) is provided in which a plurality of beer sources (12) are
coupled to a plurality of taps (16). Heat exchangers (18) may be
disposed between one or more of the beer sources (12) and one or
more of the taps (16). Beer temperatures may be controlled with a
controller (30), sensors (32) and valves (34). Also provided is
system (50) that allows a single tap (16n) to dispense beer at more
than one temperature. Also provided is a controlled temperature
storage chamber (100) and a tube bundle (70).
Inventors: |
Haskayne; Paul;
(Lower-Peover, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Braswell & Associates, P.C.
105 Soost Court
Mobile
AL
36608
US
|
Assignee: |
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
36405922 |
Appl. No.: |
11/040153 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/390 ;
222/146.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/1405 20130101;
B67D 1/0862 20130101; B67D 1/0861 20130101; B67D 1/0867 20130101;
B67D 1/0884 20130101; B67D 1/0888 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/390 ;
222/146.6 |
International
Class: |
B67D 5/62 20060101
B67D005/62 |
Claims
1. A beer system, comprising: a plurality of beer sources; a
coolant chiller for chilling coolant; a plurality of beer taps for
dispensing beer, each of the beer taps coupled to at least one of
the beer sources; a heat exchanger coupled between at least one of
the beer sources and at least one of the beer taps, and coupled to
the coolant, the heat exchanger operable to chill the beer from the
coupled beer source before it reaches the beer tap; a sensor for
measuring the temperature of the beer chilled by the heat
exchanger; a valve coupled between the coolant chiller and the heat
exchanger for controlling flow of coolant to the heat exchanger,
the valve controlled in response to the sensor.
2. The beer system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a
thermocouple.
3. The beer system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a cold
plate.
4. The beer system of claim 3, wherein the cold plate is cooled by
a heat transfer fluid flowing through the cold plate.
5. A beer system, comprising: a plurality of beer sources; a
coolant chiller for chilling coolant, the chilled coolant being
split into at least a first coolant line and a second coolant line,
the first coolant line coupled to a first coolant valve for
controlling flow of coolant in that line; a plurality of beer taps
for dispensing beer; wherein at least one of the beer taps is for
dispensing beer within a first temperature range, this first
temperature range tap being coupled to at least one of the beer
sources; a first sensor for measuring the temperature of the beer
to be dispensed by the first temperature range tap, the sensor
providing a signal for use in controlling the first coolant valve;
wherein at least one of the beer taps is for dispensing beer within
a second temperature range, this second temperature range tap being
coupled to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger coupled between at
least one of the beer sources and the second temperature range tap,
the heat exchanger also coupled to the second coolant line, the
heat exchanger operable to chill the beer from the coupled beer
source before it reaches the second temperature range tap; a second
sensor for measuring the temperature of the beer chilled by the
heat exchanger; and a second coolant valve coupled to the second
coolant line between the coolant chiller and the heat exchanger for
controlling flow of coolant to the heat exchanger, the second
coolant valve controlled in response to the second sensor.
6. The beer system of claim 5, wherein the first and second sensors
are thermocouples.
7. The beer system of claim 5, wherein the heat exchanger is a cold
plate.
8. The beer system-of claim 7, wherein the cold plate is cooled by
a heat transfer fluid flowing through the cold plate.
9. A beer system, comprising: a first beer line and a second beer
line both supplied with one beer brand; a heat exchanger coupled to
the first beer line for chilling the beer in the first beer line to
a temperature within a first temperature range; a beer tap for
dispensing beer from either of the two beer lines; and a selector
for selecting which of the two beer lines supplies the beer
tap.
10. The beer system of claim 9, and further comprising a three-way
valve having two inputs and one output, one input coupled to the
first beer line downstream of the heat exchanger, the other input
coupled to the second beer line, the output coupled to the beer
tap, and wherein the valve is controlled in response to the
selector.
11. The beer system of claim 9, wherein the selector is a
switch.
12. The beer system of claim 9, wherein the heat exchanger
comprises a heat exchanger cooled with a coolant.
13. The beer system of claim 12, wherein the coolant is glycol.
14. The beer system of claim 9, and further comprising a coolant
valve for controlling flow of a coolant to the heat exchanger.
15. The beer system of claim 9, wherein the second beer line is
coupled to the heat exchanger for chilling the beer in the second
beer line to a temperature within a second temperature range.
16. The beer system of claim 9, wherein at least part of the heat
exchanger is located within a beer font, the tap being coupled to
the beer font.
17. A beer system, comprising: a plurality of beer sources
supplying respective beer lines; a coolant chiller for chilling
coolant, the chilled coolant being split into at least a first
coolant line and a second coolant line; a plurality of beer taps
for dispensing beer from the beer sources; and an insulated bundle
carrying the beer lines and the first and second coolant lines.
18. The beer system of claim 17, wherein, within the insulated
bundle, the beer lines and the first coolant line run in a
sub-bundle, and the second coolant line is spaced apart from the
sub-bundle.
19. The beer system of claim 18, wherein the second coolant line is
separated from the sub-bundle by an insulator.
20. A controlled temperature storage chamber, comprising: a first
section for storing a first plurality of beer sources, the first
section including an air cooler, the air cooler for maintaining the
air temperature of the first section within a first temperature
range; a second section for storing a second plurality of beer
sources, the second section being at least partially separated from
the first section by a partition, the partition including a fan
operable to blow air from the first section into the second section
when the fan is on; and a temperature sensor in the second section
for sensing the air temperature of the second section, wherein the
fan is turned on in response to the temperature sensor to maintain
the air temperature of the second section within a second
temperature range.
21. The chamber of claim 20, wherein the first temperature range is
about 6 degrees Celsius to about 8 degrees Celsius, and wherein the
second temperature range is about 11 degrees Celsius to about 13
degrees Celsius.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to beverage systems, and
more particularly to methods and apparatus for beer dispensing
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Not every beer should be dispensed at the same temperature,
either because of the preference of the beer drinkers or the
specifications of the beer brewers. However, efforts to accommodate
different dispensing temperatures, for example at a pub, have often
been piecemeal, expensive, and unreliable. Therefore, a need has
arisen for methods and apparatus for beer dispensing systems which
allow different beer dispensing temperatures and which overcome the
limitations of prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
methods and apparatus for a beer system are provided which
eliminate or substantially reduce the problems associated with
prior art systems.
[0004] In one embodiment, a beer system is provided that includes a
plurality of beer sources, a coolant chiller for chilling coolant,
and a plurality of beer taps for dispensing beer. A heat exchanger
is coupled between at least one of the beer sources and at least
one of the beer taps, and coupled to the coolant, and is operable
to chill the beer from the coupled beer source before it reaches
the beer tap. Also, a sensor is used for measuring the temperature
of the beer chilled by the heat exchanger, and a valve controls
flow of coolant to the heat exchanger in response to the sensor. In
particular embodiments, the sensor may be a thermocouple, and the
heat exchanger may be a cold plate, such as one cooled by a heat
transfer fluid flowing through the cold plate.
[0005] In another embodiment, a beer system is provided that
includes a plurality of beer sources and a coolant chiller for
chilling coolant that is split into at least a first coolant line
and a second coolant line, wherein the first coolant line is
coupled to a first coolant valve for controlling flow of coolant in
that line. A plurality of beer taps for dispensing beer are
provided, wherein at least one of the beer taps is for dispensing
beer within a first temperature range, this first temperature range
tap being coupled to at least one of the beer sources. A first
sensor is used for measuring the temperature of the beer to be
dispensed by the first temperature range tap, and the sensor
provides a signal for use in controlling the first coolant valve.
Also, at least one of the beer taps is for dispensing beer within a
second temperature range, this second temperature range tap being
coupled to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger coupled between at
least one of the beer sources and the second temperature range tap.
The heat exchanger is operable to chill the beer from the coupled
beer source before it reaches the second temperature range tap. A
second sensor is used for measuring the temperature of the beer
chilled by the heat exchanger, and a second coolant valve coupled
to the second coolant line between the coolant chiller and the heat
exchanger is used for controlling flow of coolant to the heat
exchanger, the second coolant valve controlled in response to the
second sensor. In particular embodiments, the sensor may be a
thermocouple, and the heat exchanger may be a cold plate, such as
one cooled by a heat transfer fluid flowing through the cold
plate.
[0006] Also, a beer system is provided in which a first beer line
and a second beer line are both supplied with one beer brand, and a
heat exchanger is coupled to the first beer line for chilling the
beer in the first beer line to a temperature within a first
temperature range. A beer tap is provided for dispensing beer from
either of the two beer lines, and a selector is used for selecting
which of the two beer lines supplies the beer tap. In a particular
embodiment, a three-way valve is provided that has two inputs and
one output, wherein one input is coupled to the first beer line
downstream of the heat exchanger, the other input is coupled to the
second beer line, and the output is coupled to the beer tap. The
valve is controlled in response to the selector. In particular
embodiments, the selector may be a switch, and the heat exchanger
may comprise a heat exchanger cooled with a coolant. Also, a
coolant valve may be provided for controlling flow of a coolant to
the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the second beer line may be
coupled to the heat exchanger for chilling the beer in the second
beer line to a temperature within a second temperature range. At
least part of the heat exchanger may be located within a beer
font.
[0007] Also provided is a beer system that includes a plurality of
beer sources supplying respective beer lines, a coolant chiller for
chilling coolant, the chilled coolant being split into at least a
first coolant line and a second coolant line, a plurality of beer
taps for dispensing beer from the beer sources, and an insulated
bundle carrying the beer lines and the first and second coolant
lines. Within the insulated bundle, the beer lines and the first
coolant line may run in a sub-bundle, and the second coolant line
may be spaced apart from the sub-bundle. The second coolant line
may be separated from the sub-bundle by an insulator.
[0008] Also provided is a controlled temperature storage chamber
that includes a first section for storing a first plurality of beer
sources, the first section including an air cooler, the air cooler
for maintaining the air temperature of the first section within a
first temperature range. A second section is provided for storing a
second plurality of beer sources, the second section being at least
partially separated from the first section by a partition, and
wherein the partition includes a fan operable to blow air from the
first section into the second section when the fan is on. A
temperature sensor in the second section senses the air temperature
of the second section, and the fan is turned on in response to the
temperature sensor to maintain the air temperature of the second
section within a second temperature range. In a particular
embodiment of the chamber, the first temperature range may be about
6 degrees Celsius to about 8 degrees Celsius, and the second
temperature range may be about 11 degrees Celsius to about 13
degrees Celsius.
[0009] Important technical advantages are provided herein,
including, without limitation, the ability to effectively dispense
beer at multiple temperatures through the use of temperature
sensing and automatic control of coolant flow. In another aspect of
the present invention, an important technical advantage is the
ability to dispense beer at more than one temperature through one
tap. Also, various aspects discussed herein can significantly
reduce complexity and installation costs in beer systems, while at
the same time improving reliability. The present invention allows
for versatile, customizable beer systems that easily accommodate
multiple beer temperatures, thus offering greater opportunities for
the owner of the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Reference is made in the description to the following
briefly described drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer
to corresponding elements:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a beer system
according to one aspect of the teachings of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-temperature tap
according to one aspect of the teachings of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a heat exchanger
according to one aspect of the teachings of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a tube bundle according
to one aspect of the teachings of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a gang of heat
exchangers according to one aspect of the teachings of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a cold chamber
according to one aspect of the teachings of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an in-line pre-chilling
heat exchanger according to one aspect of the teachings of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, beer system 10 includes a plurality of
beer sources 12 (12a, 12b, 12c) located within a cold room 14.
Although beer sources 12 are usually kegs or casks, any beer source
may be used. The beer sources 12 are shown in a cold room 14,
although they need not be in a dedicated chamber. The beer sources
12 are coupled to a plurality of beer taps 16, usually through a
pumping or gas pressure delivery system (not shown). The beer taps
16 are often fixed to beer fonts, and the taps may be, for example
and without limitation, mechanical or solenoid-operated taps. Some
of the beer sources 12 are coupled to the beer taps 16 through heat
exchangers 18, which are used to chill the beer. In a particular
embodiment, heat exchangers 18 are cooled by a coolant chilled by a
coolant chiller 20. Coolant chiller 20 may, without limitation,
chill coolant through use of a mechanical refrigeration system.
[0019] Coolant from the coolant chiller 20 is recirculated (for
example by pumping) through the system 10, through flow line 22 and
return line 24. As shown, flow line 22 may be split, for example
through a manifold 26, into a plurality of flow lines, such as 22a,
22b, and 22c. Similarly, the return line 24 may be fed through a
manifold 28, to which return lines 24a, 24b, and 24c are coupled.
The coolant may be any coolant suitable for the application, for
example, and without limitation, water, glycol, or any heat
transfer fluid.
[0020] Coolant lines 22a and 22b are used in chilling or
maintaining beer temperatures within desired ranges. As shown,
coolant line 22a flows to heat exchangers 18a through 18n, which
are used to chill beer down to desired temperature ranges. Such
chilling is required where the temperature of the beer from the
beer sources (or from optional pre-cooler 29, which may be, without
limitation, a coolant bath, cold plate, or other heat exchanger) is
not as low as is desired for the dispensing temperatures. Coolant
line 22b runs in close proximity to beer lines 28, helping to
maintain the temperature of the beer, and runs toward the beer tap
16b.
[0021] A controller 30 is provided for setting each temperature
desired for each tap 16. It is preferred that one controller be
used to make all settings, however, multiple controllers could be
used. Controller 30 is preferably located at the bar where beer is
dispensed, and is operated by selecting the beer tap to be set, and
setting the desired temperature for that tap. Controller 30
operates to control the temperature to the desired range by
measuring temperature though sensors 32, and then controlling
valves 34 to control the flow of coolant. Without limitation,
controller 30 may include a microcontroller or other
microprocessor-based circuitry and software, or simple control
circuitry, to perform its control functions.
[0022] For example, sensor 32a, which may be, without limitation, a
thermocouple, is used to measure the temperature of beer downstream
of heat exchanger 18a. Controller 30 reads the sensor 32a, and then
operates valve 34a to control the flow of coolant to the heat
exchanger 18a. Thus, for example, if the beer temperature is within
the desired range, valve 34a may be closed by the controller 30. If
the beer temperature is too warm, the valve 34a may be opened until
the temperature is within the desired range. In a particular
embodiment, valve 34a is a solenoid, on/off valve. However, other
valves, such as, without limitation, proportional flow control
valves, may be used. The controller 30 may also be used to
periodically (at pre-set intervals) open the valves 34 to ensure
that beer in the heat exchangers 18 or elsewhere in the system are
maintained cold, for example in periods of non-use. However, no
such periodic opening may be needed, as the sensors 32 would
trigger the controller 30 to increase flow of coolant as beer
warms, for example in times of non-use.
[0023] Where the temperature of beer to be dispensed is the same as
or near the temperature of the beer sources (or as cooled through
pre-cooler 29), such as is shown at tap 16b, no heat exchanger 18
is necessary. To maintain the temperature of the beer flowing to
such a tap, the coolant line 22b runs in close proximity to the
beer lines 28, continuing toward the tap 16b. The beer temperature
may be maintained at the proper temperature at or near the tap with
any suitable approach, including, without limitation, by trace
cooling (wherein the coolant line runs to the tap in close
proximity to the beer line, and begins its return route near the
tap), by flowing the coolant into a recirculation block at the tap,
or by flooding the font with coolant (through which the beer line
runs toward the tap), or any combination thereof. A valve 34b is
coupled to the coolant line 22b to control the temperature of the
beer dispensed though taps such as tap 16b, where no heat exchanger
18 is used. Similarly to the control scheme described above,
controller 30 controls the valve 34b in response to sensor 32b
sensing beer temperature.
[0024] Also, it should be understood that beer flowing to the heat
exchangers 18 may also run in close proximity to any of the coolant
lines 22. In particular, as will be discussed, it is preferred that
they run in close proximity to coolant line 22b. Furthermore, to
maintain the beer temperature between heat exchangers 18 and their
associated beer taps 16, coolant may flow from a coolant line
toward such taps. As discussed above, any suitable approach may be
used, including, without limitation, trace cooling, flowing the
coolant into a recirculation block at the tap, or by flooding the
font with coolant, or any combination thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the coolant line 22a, either directly or through the
associated heat exchanger 18, is used to maintain the beer
temperature between the heat exchanger 18 and the associated beer
tap 16.
[0025] To ensure that coolant flows into the heat exchangers 18 and
toward the taps when appropriate, and to ensure proper
recirculation of coolant, pressure regulators or pressure
differential valves 40 (without limitation) are included between
the coolant flow lines 22 and coolant return lines 24.
[0026] In general, with the system described above, heat exchangers
18 are used for beer that is to be dispensed at temperatures below
that of the beer leaving the beer sources (or pre-cooler 29). For
each such beer, the desired temperature is set with controller 30,
which in turn controls the appropriate valve 34 (valve 34a or 34c
in the illustrated example). For beer that is to be dispensed at or
near the temperature of beer leaving the beer sources (or
pre-cooler 29), the desired temperature is set with controller 30,
which in turn controls valve 34b.
[0027] Following is an example of various temperatures that may be
involved in a beer system as described herein. It should be
understood, however, that this example is illustrative only, and
without limitation. Many other and temperatures may be involved.
Ideally, the cold room 14, which is often a cellar, would be
maintained in the range of about 6.degree. to about 8.degree.
Celsius. Thus, the beer in the beer sources 12 would be in that
same range. If the cold room 14 temperature is warmer than desired,
the pre-cooler 29 may be used to pre-cool the beer to the desired
range. The coolant chiller 20 may be set to chill the coolant to
the range of about -3.degree. to about 0.degree. Celsius. Beer to
be dispensed at tap 16b is to be dispensed at a temperature in the
range of about 6.degree. to about 8.degree. Celsius. Beer to be
dispensed at tap 16a is to be dispensed at a temperature of about
3.degree. Celsius. Beer to be dispensed at tap 16n is to be
dispensed at a temperature of about 1.degree. Celsius (and, as will
be discussed below, also at about 6.degree. Celsius). Controller 30
is used to set those desired dispensing temperatures at each tap
16, and the controller then controls the various valves 34 to
achieve the desired temperatures.
[0028] Ideally, the heat exchangers 18 are located under the bar at
which the taps are located. Because space under such bars is
valuable, it is preferred that the heat exchangers be small,
although they need not be. With the present invention, individual
heat exchangers may be used for each tap that requires one, or,
where one temperature is suitable for more than one tap, a heat
exchanger that accommodates more than one beer line may be used.
Also, combinations of such individual and shared heat exchangers
may be used, depending on the requirements of the particular
installation. Although it is preferred to locate the heat
exchangers 18 near the taps 16, the heat exchangers 18 may be
located anywhere, including, without limitation, in the cold room
or cellar of the installation.
[0029] The use of temperature sensing and automatic control of
coolant flow can significantly reduce complexity and installation
costs, while at the same time it can improve reliability. The
present invention allows for versatile, customizable beer systems
that easily accommodate multiple beer temperatures, thus offering
greater opportunities for the owner of the system.
[0030] Also shown in FIG. 1 is a glass door merchandiser 42. Very
often such merchandisers are found in bar installations, but have
significant limitations. For example, each such merchandiser
usually includes its own mechanical refrigeration system, which
increases cost, and which generates heat behind the bar. With the
system shown in FIG. 1, the glass door merchandiser 42 may be
configured to be cooled by coolant from line 26c (or any of the
other coolant lines). For example, as is known, the merchandiser 42
may include a heat exchanger supplied by the coolant in the coolant
line 26c, across which air is blown to be cooled. The temperature
of merchandiser 42 may be controlled within a desired temperature
range through the use of sensor 32d, valve 34d, and controller 30,
in a scheme as described above. The sensor 32d is located inside
the merchandiser 42. The illustration of glass door merchandiser 42
is exemplary only, and any device that requires cooling may be
cooled by the coolant from coolant chiller 20.
[0031] Another aspect of the present invention (illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2) is an apparatus that includes a single tap 16n for
dispensing beer at at least two different temperatures. This aspect
of the invention may be integrated into some or all of the system
illustrated in FIG. 1, or exist as a stand-alone apparatus. Thus,
it may be integrated with sensor 32c and valve 34c, or used without
such controls.
[0032] To allow such multiple temperature dispensing at tap 16n,
the beer line 28c is split at split point 44 (which may be, without
limitation, a two way divider), with one of the split lines 44a
passing through heat exchanger 18n for chilling. As shown in FIG.
2, line 44a may be coiled to allow an elongated run through the
heat exchanger 18n, thus providing more chilling. The other split
line 44b may pass outside of the heat exchanger 18n, or it may pass
through the heat exchanger 18n less circuitously than line 44a.
Thus, downstream of heat exchanger 18n, the beer in line 44a is
colder than the beer in line 44b. Although the splitting of beer
line 28c is shown outside of heat exchanger 18n, it could occur
within the heat exchanger.
[0033] Lines 44a and 44b, downstream of heat exchanger 18n, are
input to valve 46. Valve 46 is a three-way valve, having two inputs
that are selectively output through one output to line 44c. The
input line to be output to line 44c is selected by selector 48,
which is coupled to valve 46. Selector 48 is operated by a user
(such as a bartender) to select the beer temperature of the beer to
be dispensed. Selector 48 may be, without limitation, a simple
switch.
[0034] As discussed, the multiple temperature dispensing apparatus
(one embodiment being shown as reference 50 in FIG. 2) may be
integrated with sensor 32c and valve 34c, thus allowing for the
temperature of the beer to be controlled via controller 30. In most
such cases, the sensor 32c would be coupled to sense beer
temperature in line 44a. However the temperature sensing could be
used for beer in line 44b, or lines 44a and 44b. Where temperature
in only one line is sensed, the other temperature may be set by
design, so that the temperature differential is a relatively known
value. Also, such temperature sensing is not required, and the
temperatures of the beer may be set by proper design of the heat
exchanger 18n for the particular system, or by setting the amount
of coolant flow during installation (such as, without limitation,
through a flow control valve) to achieve the desired
temperatures.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, beer line 44b runs through the heat
exchanger 18n. However, as discussed above, beer line 44b may run
outside of the heat exchanger 18n. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, heat
exchanger 18n may be a flooded chamber type heat exchanger, wherein
the coolant flows from line 22a into a chamber 52 that includes the
coiled line 44a (and 44b if it runs inside the heat exchanger). The
coolant exits though return line 24a. Of course, any suitable type
of heat exchanger could be used, including, without limitation,
cold plate type heat exchangers or brazed plate heat
exchangers.
[0036] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 18n may be integrated
(wholly or partly) into a font. Thus, the font could house, and
even provide the outer wall, of the heat exchanger 18n.
[0037] Moreover, to maintain the beer temperatures between heat
exchanger 18n and beer tap 16n, coolant may flow from coolant lines
toward the tap. As discussed above, any suitable approach may be
used, including, without limitation, trace cooling, flowing the
coolant into a recirculation block at the tap, or by flooding the
font with coolant, or any combination thereof.
[0038] Toggling of the selector 48 during a dispense allows a beer
to be dispensed at temperatures between that of the temperatures of
beer in lines 44a and 44b, by mixing beer from lines 44a and 44b in
proportion to the toggling. This allows dispensing at multiple
temperatures. Also, a controller, such as controller 30, may be
used to automatically accomplish such toggling or modulation for
controllably setting such intermediate temperatures. In such case,
a selector allowing multiple temperatures (for example, and without
limitation, a dial or multiple switches) would be operated by the
user and read by the controller 30, which would then control the
valve 46. Also, although two lines 44a and 44b and a three-way
valve 46 are illustrated, more than two lines, along with valving
and a selector accommodating such multiple lines into a single
output, may be used to allow beer at more than two temperatures to
be dispensed from a single tap.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a heat exchanger 60 that may be used for
one or more of the heat exchangers 18 in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should
be understood, however, that heat exchanger 60 is exemplary only,
and any other suitable heat exchanger could be used. Heat exchanger
60 is a cold plate type heat exchanger, which is formed by casting
a metal 62, such as, without limitation, aluminum, around fluid
lines. A coolant flows into the heat exchanger 60 though line 22a,
and returns though line 24a. The coolant cools the metal 62, which
in turn causes the fluid (beer) in lines 64a and 64b to be cooled.
Although two beer lines 64a and 64b are illustrated, only one beer
line, or more than two beer lines, may be used. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 3, line 44a has a longer length within the
heat exchanger 60 than line 44b, and thus beer exiting the heat
exchanger 60 in line 44a is colder than that in line 44b. However,
both lines could have similar lengths. A coolant inlet manifold 66a
is shown inside of heat exchanger 60, from which multiple coolant
lines flow. The coolant lines are returned to coolant return line
24a through a return manifold 66b. The use of manifolds 66a and 66b
allows even coolant flow distribution within the heat exchanger 60,
thus providing efficient cooling. However, it should be understood
that no such manifolds are needed, and coolant flow may be
distributed through any approach, including, without limitation,
clips, or single line flow.
[0040] As one example, beer in lines 64a and 64b may correspond to
beer in lines 44a and 44b of FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, heat
exchanger 60 may correspond to heat exchanger 18a in FIG. 1, and
beer in beer line 64a may flow to tap 16a. In this latter case, no
beer line 64b need be used. As another alternative, the beer in
line 64b may be used to supply beer to tap 16b. As another example,
with a heat exchanger having two beer lines each of about the same
length, the beer lines may supply two taps though which beer is
dispensed at about the same temperature.
[0041] The heat exchangers shown in FIG. 1 need not all be of the
same kind, and it should be understood that, although it is
preferred that uniform components be used in the system 10,
non-uniform components may be used.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a tube bundle 70,
often referred to as a python, which may be advantageously used
with beer systems. The tube bundle 70 is a bundle of tubes,
separated by an insulator 72 from an outer wall 74. Outer wall 74
may be, without limitation, a plastic coating or adhesive sheath. A
plurality of beer lines 76, which may correspond to the beer lines
28 shown in FIG. 1, are arranged in a sub-bundle along with and
around coolant flow and return lines 78a and 78b, which may
correspond, respectively, to coolant flow line 22b and coolant
return line 24b. Coolant flow and return lines 80a and 80b, which
may correspond to coolant flow and return lines 22a and 24a,
respectively, are separated by insulator 82 from the lines 76 and
78a and 78b.
[0043] In a particular embodiment, coolant flow line 78a
corresponds to coolant flow line 22b, and is used to transmit
coolant and to aid in maintaining beer temperature within lines 76.
Coolant flow line 80a, which may correspond to coolant flow line
22a, transmits coolant to the heat exchangers 18 in FIG. 1. Because
coolant flow rates in line 80a may be greater than in 78a, it is
separated from beer lines 76 to prevent over-chilling of those beer
lines. Although lines 80a and 80b are shown with greater diameters
than those of lines 76 and 78, they may be of the same diameter, or
of a smaller diameter.
[0044] With tube bundle 70, installation costs and complexity are
reduced, as one tube bundle may be used in place of more than one
bundle.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of heat exchangers 90a, 90b,
and 90c ganged together for orderly installation and space savings.
The particular arrangement is exemplary only, and illustrates heat
exchangers 90a and 90b each accommodating two beers (beer lines 92a
and 92b, and beer lines 94a and 94b), and heat exchanger 90c
accommodating one beer line (beer line 96). Coolant flow and return
lines 98 and 99 may correspond to lines 22a and 24a of FIG. 1.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a cold room 100 according to one aspect
of the present invention. Cold room 100 is a controlled temperature
storage chamber for storing beer sources, such as beer sources 28
of FIG. 1. As shown, cold room 100 includes sections 102 and 104,
separated by a partition 106. Section 102 includes beer sources K1
to Kn (which may be, without limitation, kegs or casks), and
section 104 includes beer sources C1 to Cn (which may be, without
limitation, casks or kegs). The wall 108 of the room 100, and the
partition 106, may be, without limitation, an insulated panel wall,
a brick or stone wall (for example the wall of a cellar), or any
other wall. The partition 106 includes at least one fan 110 for
blowing air from section 102 into section 104. Coolant chiller 20
may reside in the cold room 100.
[0047] Section 102 includes and air cooler 112 for maintaining the
air temperature within section 102 within a desired temperature
range. Air cooler 112 may be, without limitation, an air
conditioning system controlled by a thermostat. Section 104
includes a sensor 114 for sensing temperature with section 104.
Sensor 114, which may be, without limitation, a thermostat, is
coupled to fan 110 and causes fan (or fans) 110 to turn on when the
temperature within section 104 is outside of a desired temperature
range. As an example of one set of temperatures for the cold room
100, without limitation, section 102 may be maintained at a
temperature in the range of about 6.degree. to about 8.degree.
Celsius, and section 104 may be maintained at a temperature in the
range of about 11.degree. to about 13.degree. Celsius.
[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a pre-cooler 29, which
is a heat exchanger. The pre-cooler 29 illustrated in FIG. 7 is
exemplary only, and any other pre-cooler may be used, including,
without limitation, heat transfer fluid bath heat exchangers or
cold plate heat exchangers. The particular pre-cooler 29 shown
schematically in FIG. 7 is an in-line pre-cooler, which may be
coupled in-line with a tube bundle used for carrying beer and
coolant lines to the taps. The pre-cooler includes a housing 120,
which may be made of, without limitation, plastic or metal, and is
shaped as desired, but preferably with an elongated shape to run
in-line with a tube bundle. Within the housing 120, a coolant line
122 is used to cool one or more beer lines 124. This cooling may be
as described above in connection with any of the other embodiments.
The coolant line 122 may run from the manifold 26, and return to
manifold 28. The pre-cooling effected by pre-cooler 29 chills beer
to desired temperatures for use within the system. Depending on the
complexity of the system, pre-cooling may not be desired where a
proper cold room is in place. Also, pre-cooling may diminish the
need for a cold room.
[0049] Within this description, coupling includes both direct
coupling of elements, and coupling indirectly through intermediate
elements. Also, although various preferred embodiments of coolant
flow are shown, coolant flow through more or fewer lines may be
used.
[0050] The particular embodiments and descriptions provided herein
are illustrative examples only, and features and advantages of each
example may be interchanged with, or added to the features and
advantages in the other embodiments and examples herein. Moreover,
as examples, they are not meant to limit the scope of the present
invention to any particular described detail, and the scope of the
invention is meant to be broader than any example. For example, and
without limitation, although beer applications have been
illustrated, the present invention may be used with any other
drink, including, without limitation, soft drinks (carbonated and
noncarbonated), juices, milk, and tea. Also, the present invention
has several aspects, as described above, and they may stand alone,
or be combined with some or all of the other aspects.
[0051] And, in general, although the present invention has been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
alterations, substitutions, additions and modifications can be made
without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as
defined in the following claims.
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